Power means different things to different people, or at different times. When you have no electricity, it represents the idea of being able to watch TV, listen to music, or otherwise be comfortable in your home. In a car, power represents the ability to perform, or outperform, others on the road. When it comes to society, politics, power is the ability to decide what yourself and possibly others will or will not do.
In all of these cases, and in all others, power represents the ability to do something, or not do it, as you desire. A slave has the ability to do work, but is not able to decide whether or not to do that work, so he does not have power over it. A fisherman had the ability to fish, but unless he has a magic technique to ensure his catch, he has no power over the fish. We often overestimate the actual power that we have over our life's events, simply because we either do not consider or do not desire to consider how very little control we have.
But power is a relative thing as well. Nobody has 0% power, and nobody has 100% power. It is not a yes or no thing. Even the slave driver does not have complete power over his slave. He cannot force the slave to do something that is impossible to do, nor can he force the slave to do something which he refuses unto death. One of the few things that brings together all people, at least all who have healthy minds, is the ability to refuse to do something if we are willing to die for it. This does not mean the opposite, however, that we can accomplish anything we desire enough to die for. That is the difference between action and inaction. The results of action are not guaranteed. The results of inaction almost certainly are, though we may not understand them in their entirety.
I find more and more how little power I have. And there is a certain fear, most certainly my greatest fear, to not have enough power to do what needs to be done. Not in the sense of political clout, military prowess, physical strength, or anything like that, but rather the general possession of power that allows us to tackle life's challenges. If we do not have the power we need, we are helpless, and whether you carry the whole weight of the world on your shoulders, or are only looking out for #1, you cannot be helpless to get ahead or even to survive. We must make the most of what we have, but in doing so, we cannot ignore our weaknesses or any opportunities to better our situation.
However, perhaps my second greatest fear is having too much power. It is almost as easy to underestimate our power over a situation as it is to overestimate it. A social issue can often be ended with the blow of a fist or shot of a gun, but merely having the power does not justify its use. I find in politics, not just American but human society, our leaders have very little respect for the power they wield. The worst thing is that I cannot fault them for it. It is a part of the human condition, as so few of us actually consider all of the consequences of our actions. We don't have the time on this Earth to consider every single thing we do and actually get anything done at the same time. So, we must exist in this perpetual state of balance on the edge of a blade, unsure just how much to one side or another we lean.
If you take anything from this, I suggest the following: Be afraid. Be afraid of the power you have, and the power you don't have. Be ever vigilant, to your own actions and to those of others. Do not refrain from action that seems right, even if you make mistakes. None of us are perfect. But if you take the time to consider your actions, and reflect on the consequences of what you have done, what you are doing, and what you may do in the future, you'll find that life will be more clear to you. And maybe it will make you a little more satisfied with what you have, and a little more driven to get the things you have not. Or maybe not.
